Most Recent Messages in General Posting

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TATTOOS

OK this might be my craziest question yet in my many postings I was not feeling perfect so I went to my DR & my lower chamber was pacing at 100% & the last time it was this high of a number by some weird coincidence I just got a new TATTOO then also the DR says he doubts it could be from that but also said with my being a medical enigma as he put it you never know has anyone that has tattoos ever had that issue I know I get very excited when I get a new tattoo

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Alchohol

I drink about 4 ounces of 80 proof rum per day, mixed with cola! Can anyone tell me if my heart health is in danger by doing this? If so, why? What should my limit be?
Thank you,
Jim

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Pyrography/Wood Burning

Has anyone used these machines after PM implant? I love doing crafts and decided that I was going to burn a few signs for our outdoor kitchen/patio/pool location. I purchased a kit and was using it last night and didn't feel right. Not sure if it was just an off day for the ol' ticker or if there are known interferences. I looked online, but couldn't find anything.

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Low & High setting on Bi-Ventricular PM

One of my friends had a regular Boston Scientific PM to keep him from going to low. His HR went to 170 over the weekend putting him in Hospital

I have a St Jude Bi-ventricular with a low setting of 60 and a High of 130 with a HR set to 70. I was told today if my heart were to beat at 170 the PM would not slow it done. That being the case can anyone explain what that high setting of 130 is for.

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A couple of questions

1) If you have a PM can you go on a roller coaster?
2) What causes EMI? I had my PM check and the nurse there said that there were 350 episodes of EMI in the past year. I haven't felt any different in the past year. Is this cause for concern? Has anyone been told that during your PM check? I have to go back in 6 months to have it checked again.
This is a great support group for PM individuals and their families.

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My unborn baby has heart block

I am 29 weeks pregnant with identical twins we found out at 24 weeks my 2nd twin has heart block doctors said we have to prepare for the worst and they can do stuff when our is baby born but depends when he is born and the weight of him I get scan two times week to keep eye on both babies our 2nd twin heat rate is stable at 50-51 which is low the doctors are hoping our baby will stay stable till I am 32-34 weeks then deliver the babies then I am so scared this being my first pregnancy I worried...

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Double Survival Rate Using Merlin Monitor

Check this research article that states that Patients using a Merlin Monitor and submittting regular reports have a survival rate that is double that of patients that are not remotely monitored:

http://investors.sjm.com/m/#/Press_Releases/74718c6d-a239-4804-84d9-2f00fa6fa3f9

My Merlin reassures me. Please read the comments below from PM members.

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self check

I know that my new Merlin checks in every night. Does anyone know if the check is generated by the machine or the device? I never noticed anything with my previous devices and last night was the first time I was awake and not near the box, prom night so I was trying to undo my daughter's updo.

One minute I was fishing pins out of her hair, the next minute I could barely stay upright, broke out in to a cold sweat, thought for sure I was going to pass out, barely stumbled to a flat sur...

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What became of graci in 1977 and protective vest?

She posted that she "did some research" and came up with a protective coat which she was downsizing into a vest, that would allow her husband to use his welder. Several people replied with interest and wanted information about it. But I didn't see any reply from graci.
So, I'm wondering: is there a protective coat or vest I can get or make, to allow me to go back to occasional welding, drill press use and kiln use?

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Medtronic Remote monitors

Just thought i would leave this info here. It may already have been posted. Medtronic has two free upgrades for cellular phone remote monitors. They have one upgrade that costs about $12.00 a month.

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Scared of 2nd Ablation

I had an ablation in early January, felt terrible after the procedure for days and days. Three weeks later had a pacemaker installed because while in the hospital my pulse dropped to 20. I felt ok on and off, more off. Had an adjustment made after 2 weeks, felt ok for a few days then went back in last Thursday (two weeks later) because pulse is constantly in high 80 at resting and if I walked 20 feet it would spike over 100 bpm and I would struggle to breath. Doctor said I was in a-flutter n...

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Interference between CT and Electronic Medical Dev


Updated today from the FDA. Classified as rare but worth noting.

http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafety/ElectromagneticCompatibilityEMC/ucm489704.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Grateful Heart

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Pacemaker newbie

Hi all,

I'm a 51yr old female, happily married to my high school sweetheart, 2 daughters in college, some great friends, and a nervous new owner of a pacemaker.

I thought I was in pretty good shape although I'm bit heavier than I wanted to be. I walked 3 miles most days and tried to eat right. Then about a month ago, I noticed I just couldn't walk the way I used to, was getting winded just going up the stairs in my house, and was having heart palp. I have moderately high bp...

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confused

My Mom has been having an increase in heart failure symptoms in the past three weeks she has voiced being concerned a few times (which she never does). She has commented that at times it's hard to breathe, blood pressure dropping extremely low and then later increase again, forgetting things more, her ankles and feet two weeks ago were retaining a huge amount of fluid and legs felt heavy and weak, extremedy tired and a lot of nausea (vomiting every night). The symptoms aren't always present b...

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Cell phones

Is there really an issue with a cell phone near the pacemaker. Just got my pacemaker yesterday so I'm looking for any information.

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Pet sensing pacemaker?

Hi everyone,
I was pleased to come across this site. I believe the forum will be very helpful as I adapt to my pacemaker.

I have a bit of a strange question but did come across other posts on a similar topic so here goes... My 14 year-old rescue cat is not very affectionate but used to sit on my lap for brief periods and tolerate a bit of patting. However, since I had a dual chamber pacemaker implanted last September, the cat will not come near me and gets up and leaves the room...

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Feeling fuzzy inside

Morning all

I have a PM fitted well this is my 2nd one in 4 years but the last couple of days I've been feeling fuzzy/whoozy inside...it's driving me crazy and restricting me slightly. Sometimes when I'm resting it feels worse but sometimes when I'm up and about I get rushing feelings and my vision goes black which causes me to wobble.
I know If I go docs they will just send me to hospital and no disrespect but the hospitals don't know what to do with me

Any advice w...

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Fatigue with hr of 42

Hi, I am 66 and scheduled for pm on Thurs. my dr is somewhat dismissive of my complaints of fatigue with a resting hr of 42, it goes up to 60 when exersizing. He is putting in pm because I also have some atrial tachycardia and he wants to increase meds.
Is it unusual to be fatigued at this rate? Nervous as he has not told me what rate pm will be set to, and if it will help. I want to get back on bicycle soon - we rode across USA last year and want to plan more trips.

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Drivers licenses

I am due to renew my driver license and I had a complete cardiac arrest six months ago,(reason for pacemaker with difibulator) has anyone had a problem renewing their license?

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Holidays - again

Well, everyone, here it is for the two "Wandering" holidays of the Christians & Jews. Came a bit early this year, but nevertheless, it's here - & almost passed! Easter will be over in another 30 minutes here in the central time zone of the US, but our Jewish friends have another 30 days (roughly) till Passover begins.

I'd guess that it is appropriate that the two holidays match up most years, as they have for many, many years. After all, the Christian "Easter" occurred originally in...

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You know you're wired when...

Your heart beats like a teenager in love.

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Hang in there; it does get better every day!